Dental or surgical engine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. G. A. BONWILL.

DENTAL 0R SURGICAL ENGINE. No. 282,044. Patented July 31, 1883.

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WiTNESSES: I

%; INVENTOR 2 l M I flww Zu m (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. G. A. BONWILL.

I DENTAL OR SURGICAL ENGINE. N0.282.044. Patented July 31,1883.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

N. PETERS. PhnlwLnhogmpMr. Washingicn. u. C.

UNITED STATES i PATENT OFFICE.

XVILLIAM G. A. BON WILL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DENTAL oR SURGICAL ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 282,044, dated July 31,1883.

Application filed October 30, 1882. N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. A. BON- WILL, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Universal Connections and Hand-Pieces for theDriving Devices of Surgical, Dental, and other Tools, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements especially applicable tosurgical drills or lathes; and it embraces means for transmitting themotion of the driving-wheel of the drill or lathe to the operating-shaftor driven spindle of the hand-piece in such a manner that the latter maybe adjusted to any desired position without interfering with the properworking of either the driving or the driven appliances.

My invention, so far as its flexible universal connection is concerned,has for its object to secure the same equable tension upon the endlesscord or belt at any angle or position of the flexible parts; to permitthe employment, in connection with said flexible parts, of an improveduniversal t001-h0lding chuck; to guard against the effects of Wear onthe driven spindle and sheath or casing inclosing the same; to furnishthrough the medium of a single endless band such means for conveyingmotion as will preserve all delicacyof touch in the operation while themost positive and exact power is being transmitted; and to obviate theuse of spiral springs and cables, while insuring stability to thevarious parts, ease to the operator, and safety to the patient.

My invention, so far as its hand-piece is concerned, has for its objectto insure certainty in retention of the bit and prevent the possibilityof dislodgement even at high speeds, an essential requisite inoperations on the bones; to prevent the escape of oil from the workingparts into the mouth of the patient or the entrance of saliva into thehand-piece to the injury of its operative parts, and incidentally topermit of the hand-piece being made smaller than has been heretoforepossible. i

The above results are attained by the peculiar construction andarrangement of parts hereinafter detailed-that is to say, bya novelconstruction of the joints of the universal flexible connection wherebythe length of the endless band is the same whatever may be the positionof the flexible arms, and whereby the employment of springs to keep theband taut upon the pulley of the hand-piece is obviated; and, further,by a novel construction of the hand-piece and the provision of auniversal chuck, which enables the certain retention of bits of all thevarious constructions.

A convenient embodiment of a preferred construction of my invention ishereinafter described and claimed.

My present invention is an improvement upon the dental and surgicalengine patented to me in and by Letters Patent No. 199,779, datedJanuary29, 1878, to which Letters Pat ent reference is to be made.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view partially in elevationand partially in perspective of an apparatus conveniently embodying myentire invention. Fig. 2 is a detailed view, in side elevation, of myimproved construction of j oint of the flexible connection, thatidler-pulley which is nearest the eye being supposed removed. Fig. 3 isan inverted end elevation of one of said joints. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal central sectional elevation of the hand-piece of my engine.Fig. 5 is a similar but enlarged View of the front portion of the same.Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same, the sheath or casing beingremoved. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the sheath or casing, and itsspindle-stopping and chuck operating sleeves in place. Fig. 8 is asimilar view of the same with the sleeves removed. Fig. 9 is a sideelevation of the chuck and its plunger removed'from their thimble.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre- Sponding parts.

The following is a description of my inventiOn:

A, Fig. 1, is a rigid vertical standard equipped with a suitable base orfoundation, and in the present instance with the bearing of thedriving-wheel B, to which power is applied by any suitable means. Thestandard is made hollow, and within it is fitted an adjustable tube orhollow supplemental standard, a, controlled as to its vertical positionby a thumb-screw, S, or kindred device.

O is a standard-stem, the lower end of which fits free for rotationwithin the supplemental standard. Connected with this stem by a j oint,k, of a character hereinafter specifically rccited, is the flexible armD, which corresponds to the upper arm of the human body, as set forth inmypatent cited, while connected with said upper arm, D, by a similarjoint is the forearm E, and with said forearm E also by a similar jointthe wrist-piece 6, all as herein- 10 after detailed. The said joints,which connect the arms as stated, are provided with what I term theshoulder Z, the elbow m, and the wrist n.

P is a bracket, hinged at its lower extremi- I 5 ty to a bracket-collar,1', upon the stem 0. The opposite extremity of the bracket is adapted tothe upper arm, D, so as to slide thereon, and bears against a slidingcollar, 0, upon said arm, between which collar and a fixed butadjustable collar a is a compressed spiral spring, 6. The abovecontrivance enables the support of the upper arm at any desired angle,the tension of the spring and the adjustability of the collar aco-operating to such result. I

I am aware that rigid stays have been employed to support the upper armof connections of this class, and to such a stay or to a bracket,broadly, I lay no claim, but simply o employ a bracket in connectionwith a spring upon the upper arm, as represented and described, in orderto provide means for the automatic accommodation of the upper arm toevery movement of the hand-piece and forearm.

The upper extremity of the standard-stem C is hinged to the'innerextremity of the upper arm, D, by the pivot 70, Fig. 2, and twoidler-pulleys, Z V, are pinned by a common 0 pivot, b, on opposite sidesof the inner por tion of said upper arm, D. The distance of the pivot kof the arm D and the stem 0 from the pivot 12 of the pulleys Z is equalto the radius of the pulleys applied to said joint,

5 and the position of said pivot with respect to said pulleys is in linewith the bottom of the peripheral groove thereof, as clearly shown inFigs. 2 and 4. By this arrangement of pivot, which is applied to all ofthe joints,

5:) the relative angular position of the arms on either side of a givenjoint with respect to each other has no effect whatever upon the endlessdriving-band which passes over the pulleys, neither tightening norrelaxing it, as

"necessarily occurs in the case of a joint whose pivot corresponds withthat of the pulleys connected therewith. This construction enables me,also, to dispense with springs for securing equable tension in the band,and,

while itself securing such equable tension, en-

ables perfect pliability to and case of motion in all the joints.

The elbow and wrist joints m n are, as stated, each provided with ajoint similar to the shoulder-joint above described, and, if desired,all of these joints may be of the construction commonly found in rulers,and technically known as a ruler-joint, whereby too wide opening of thejoint is prevented, and the displacement thereby of the band from offthe pulleys rendered impossible. It is advisable to so shoulder thejoints that they cannot open at an angle greater than one hundred andsixty degrees.

The forward extremity of the upper arm, D, is fitted, feathered, andfree to rotate within a tubular socket, d, which is conformed to receivethe idler-pulleys m m of the elbow joint. The socket d is in effect apart of the upper arm, D.

b is the common pivot of the elbow-idlers m and is fixed on said socketcl.

E is, as stated, the flexible forearm, the upper extremity, e, of whichis suitably conformed to the pivot is of the elbow-j oint, which saidpivot connects the forearm with the socket d of the upper arm.

The forward extremity of the forearm E is fitted, feathered, and free torotate within a tubular socket, d, which is conformed to re ceive theidler-pulleys n a of the wrist-joint. The socket d is in effect a partof the forearm E.

b is the common pivot of the idler-pulleys a of the wrist-joint, and isfixed in said socket 95 d. It is of course immaterial on which side ofeach joint k k 7c" the idler-pulleys are pivoted.

R is a forked frame, which is a .means of connecting the hand-piece withthe flexible connection, and which is provided with aboss to receive thesheath of the hand-piece, and is conformed to contain the rear centerpivotpin, t, of the driven spindle J and the driven pulley 0 thereof.This forked frame R is provided with a socket, d, in which is fitted,feathered, and free to rotate the front extremity of a short arm orwrist-piece, e, the rear extremity of which is connected bya pivot, is,Fig. 4, to the socket d of. the forearm.

The idlerpulleys, two of which, as stated, there are at each joint,serve to convey the continuous band V in the direction of the arrowsfrom the driving-wheel direct to the driven pulley O on the drivenspindle of the handpiece, thereby dispensing with the bevel-gearing ofmy former patent cited. The band is crossed between the elbow andwrist-j oints to insure the right-hand rotation of the driven. spindle.7

By the above construction of a universal connection I attain the mostperfect range of motion, and transmit with unfailing certainty andwithout variance the power of the motorwheel direct to the drivenspindle which aetuates the bit in the handpiece.

It will be understood that the principle of the construction of theabove universal connection is equally applicable should said connectionbe made with either a less or a greater number of arms or members thanthose repre sented and described.

12 is a tubular boss formed upon the side of the forked frame R of theflexible connection,

which serves to receive and afford means for the connection of theexterior casing or sheath G of the hand-piece, and through which thedriven spindle J passes and revolves.

G is the sheath, Figs. 7 and 8, of the handpiece, a tubular casingconveniently formed of slightly larger diameter as to its rear portionthan as to its front, and terminated in a conical nose, 9, which is bestformed of steel. The sheath is conformed to fit snugly over the tubularboss 19, and to be secured thereto by a set-screw, y, or kindredcontrivance.

J is the driven spindle, a cylindric shaft solid as to its rearportionand conically countersunk or reamed at gat its extreme rear endto adapt it to apivot center pin, 2, which screws through the forkedframe and is controlled as to its set by means of the thumb-screw t.

t is a lock-nut threaded upon the shank of the pivot-pin t, and adaptedto lock the latter with respect to the forked frame in'any position inwhich it is set by its thumb-screw.

It is obvious that the pivot-pin may, if desired, be formed on thespindle and the conically-recessed bearing in the forked frame withoutaffecting the results of the j ournaling. The front extremity ofthisdriven spindle is longitudinally cored out to fit it to receive aplunger-rod, s, and at the rear of the cored portion saidspindle isslotted longitudinally in the line of its diameter, as at j, all for apurpose hereinafter explained. k

The front extremity of the spindle is equipped with a tubular thimble,F, which is rigidly connected to it, preferably by a pin, 10, so as torevolve with it, said thimble being in effect a continuation and part ofthe spindle, and being slightly less in diameter than the sheath withinwhich it is disposed. The thimble has a conical nose so conformed to theinterior conical extremity g of the sheath as to be adapted to revolveagainst the latter in the manner of a cone-bearing, and to retain thebody of the thimble out of contact with the sheath throughout itslength.

It will now be understood that the driven spindle and its thimble arecentered between and find their bearing upon the interior of the nose ofthe sheath at the one end and the pivot center pin, 15, at the other, sothat upon the application of power to the driven pulley O the spindleandthimble are revolved freely within the sheath.

The above method of journaling is capable collar.

a depth sufficient upon the movement of said sleeve T to cause it toengage between the teeth on the exterior of the stopping-collar. Thus inthe position of parts represented in Fig. 4 the driven spindle is lockedby the e11- gagement of this stud t with the teeth on the A reversemovement of the sleeve T sets the spindle free.

H is my improved chuck, being a hollow cylinder of a uniform diameter ofbore, and having both of its extremities conically formed or turned to ataper. This chuck is made of a single piece of metalthat is to say. asan entirety or in a single pieceand is longitudinally split or slottedfor a portion of its length from its ends inward, said slots h beingformed from both ends, and preferably in alternate series evenlydisposed. The above device is in effect a compound spring-j aw chuck,into which a bit or other tool may be inserted partially to any desiredextent, and firmly held, or through which said tool may be passedcompletely, and be, when the chuck is compressed, equally firmly held.

I am aware that chucks constructed of two slotted grippingsleeves, thestem of one of which is arranged to fit within the body of the other,and both of which are slotted and conically shaped at the end, haveheretofore been employed in hand-pieces and clamped upon the bits bycompression between the conical termination of an inner casing ortubular shaft and aconically recessed rod actuated by a camlever bearingagainst a cylindrical slide-block between which andthe recessed rod isinterposed a spiral spring, and to such construction I lay no claim, asit is of the essence of my invention, so far as relates to the chuck,that the latter should be formed as an entirety or of a single piece ofmetal, a construction having the advantage that while the chuck can bemade of smaller diameter externally it will yet take bits of a greaterrange of diameters.

'0 is a chuck compressing plunger, snugly fitted free for slight endwisemotion within the spindle-thimble, squared off or otherwise suitablyshaped as to its rear extremity and conically recessed as to its frontextremity, so as to conform it to the conical rear extremity of thechuck, and adapt it when it is forced for ward within the thimble tocompress the rear jaws of the chuck at the same time that it forces saidchuck forward, and occasions the compression of its front jaws againstthe conical interior of the nose of the thimble.

Many instrumentalities, as a mechanic will readily comprehend, may beemployed to effect the advance of the plunger and the consequentcompression of the chuck. I, however, prefer to employ the plunger rodS, which in the set of the parts impinges against the rear face of theplunger, and the following devices for actuating said rod to a forwardthrow.

K is a sliding collar surrounding the spin dle, and provided with a pin,u, which passes through the slot j in the spindle, and against which therear extremity of the plunger-rod abuts.

It will be understood that any device which pushes the collar forwardwill, through the instrumentality of this pin u, occasion the forwardmovement of the plunger-rod and the advance of the plunger. elect toemploy is a toothed screw-collar, V, threaded upon the driven spindleitself immediately in the .rear of the sliding collar K, which, whenturned in one direction, forces or slides said collar forward, with theresult of the compression of the chuck, as above explained, while, whenturned in the other, releases the collar, and permits the retreat of theplungerrod and plunger. I effect the rotation of this toothedscrew-collar by a rotatable toothed sleeve, T, which I term thechuck-operating sleeve, snugly fitted upon the sheath forward of thespindle-stopping sleeveT, which sleeve, also, is provided with aninternally-projecting lug, z, projecting down to within the range of theteeth on the screw-collar \V through a rectangular opening, q, in thesheath, best of the breadth of one-half the circumference of saidsheath, which is of such size as to permit of both the rotation and theendwise movement of the sleeve T. By the manipulation of this rotatablechuck-operating slide-sleeveT its lug 2 can be engaged with the teeth onthe screwcbllar, and be caused to throw said collar in one or the otherdirection, or can be disengaged therefrom and moved out of the range ofengagement.

As a convenient means ofretaining the chuck operating sleeve out ofrange of engagement with the screw-collar, I provide slots q q; in theforward corners of the opening q, into either of which the lug z can beentered.

Z is the bit.

The nose of the sheath G, in which the hollow thimble containing thechuck has its bearing, is, as stated, made of steel, and is formedexpressly to prevent the oil from working into the mouth of the thimble,and thence into the chuck; also, to prevent its passing upon the outsideof the sheath, and, further, to prevent the saliva and other fluids inthe mouth from working into the interior parts and causing rust orinjury. The above results are attained, first, by having the hole in theend of the steel nose of the sheath as nearly as possible of thediameter of the bit which passes through it, without, however,permittingactual contact, there by obviating all capillary action; and,second, by dressing off the extremity of the nose of the thimble, so asto leave an annular conical space, V between the dressed-off portion ofsaid nose and the sheath. After its employment in screwing up thetoothed screw-collar the chuck-operating sleeve T is thrown forward andits lug engaged in one of. the slots, q. The spindle-stopping sleeve Tis then slid forward, so as to withdraw its lug from the teeth of thestopping-collar and set the spin dle free, and brought into contact withthe rear face of the ehuckoperating sleeve. The

The device which I spindle-stopping sleeve is slotted longitudinally togive to it a frictional spring-grip upon the sheath, and upon itsinner'faee it may be provided with a small projection or stud, (notshown,) which, when said sleeve is slid forward, will spring into adepression, 1/, in the sheath, and serve to-retain the sleeve againstpossibility of accidental retreat.

By the operation described the driven spindle, thimble, cl1uck-in biteupon the bit, plun ger, plunger-rod, sliding collar, toothedscrewcollar, and toothed stoppingcollar are all set free for rotation asa connected and rigid whole. To occasion the stoppage of the tool andpermit the removal of the bit the spindle-stop ping sleeve T is drawnback and engaged with the stopping collar of the spindle, and thechuck-operating sleeve manipulated to cause the reversal of the toothedscrew-collar and the loosening of the chuck and its operativeinstrumentalities. The construction of parts is such that the spindle,when the bit has been locked. in place, can be revolved in eitherdirection, while the arrangement of the chuck operating sleeve withrespect to the toothed screw-collar is such as to give the greatestpower to the fingers in binding in the bit. The application of thesheath to the forked frame is such that the former can be readilyremoved, while the connection of the thimble with the spindle enablesquick detachment for oiling, cleaning, or repair. In adjusting thehand-piece to other engines the forked frame is dispensed with and theboss suitably conformed itself to retain the center pivot-pin bearing.

The improvements shown and described are applicable to classes ofmachinery other than dental drills. For instance, they may be ap pliedto dental lathes or to the rotation of shafts generally.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. As a new article ofmanufacture, a chuck for surgical, dental, and other tools, being ahollow cylinder, preferably of uniform diameter of bore, formed of onepiece of metal,

' both of the extremities of which are conically formed or turned to ataper, and whichis provided with a series of slots extending from bothends inward, a portion of its length preferably in alternate series,substantially as set forth. I

2. In a surgical or dental hand-piece, in combination, a double-taperended springjawed chuck formed of a single piece of metal, a hollowthimble being a part of or connected with the driven spindle andrevolving therewith, within which said chuck operates, an

,inclosingcasing, within which said thimble and spindle revolve, theclnick-compressing plunger, the plunger-rod, the sliding collar on thespindle, the toothed screwcollar, and means for operating said collar,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. As a device for actuating the chuck-operating plunger to its endwisethrow, the plunger-rod, in combination with the sliding collar on thespindle, the toothed screw-collar, and the chuck-operating sleeve on thesheath, substantially as set forth.

4. As a means of connection between the hand-piece and universalflexible connection of a surgical or dental engine, and-as a device forcontaining the driven pulley of the bit-opcrating spindle, a forkedframe provided with a boss or kindred contrivance for the retention ofthe sheath with the rear bearing of the spindle, and with a socket .forthe extreme front arm of the universal connection, to which arm alsoapair of idler-pulleys are applied,

substantially as described.

5. As a device for effecting the stoppage of 6. As a device forretainingthe chuck-operating sleeve out of range of engagement with the toothedscrew-collar, the spindle-stopping sleeve, which is controlled to slidelengthwise in frictional contact with the sheath, in combination withsaid sheath, substantially as set forth. i

7. In a universal flexible connection for surgical or dental engines, ajoint or hinge for contiguous arms or members of the connection, thepivot of which is at the extremities of said arms, in combination with apair of idler-pulleys, the pivot or axle of which is applied to eitherof said members at a distance from their pivot approximately equalto theradius of the pulleys, substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 14th day ofOctober, D. 1882.

WM. e. A. BolvWILL.

In presence of- J. BONSALL TAYLOR, M. '0. STRAWBRIDGE.

